PRATT — The Annual Women of Sacred Heart Turkey Dinner and Raffle will be held Nov. 14, from noon-2 p.m., at the school cafeteria.

A drawing for a quilt and many other items will follow the dinner. Winners need not be present to win. Other items will be for sale at the country store. The cost for the turkey dinner is $6 for adults; $3 for children nine and under. Take out dinners are available by calling the school cafeteria at 672-3687 between 9 and 11 a.m. Deliveries begin at 11:30 a.m.

HAYS – "Messenger," a Catholic book, gift, music and art store, will host a Grand Opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 13. The store is located in the Centennial Mall, 2512 Vine St. Hays.

Messenger officially opened its doors Oct. 1 with a store blessing by Fathers Bill Surmeier and Gilmary Tallman. It is the only Catholic book and gift store in western Kansas. The store carries a wide variety of religious merchandise catering to all ages and occasions.

"The open house will give individuals the opportunity to visit our store and view our ornate art and gifts," said Cathy Pfeifer, who co-owns the store with Cheryl Roberti.

PILSEN - On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, Father Emil Kapaun will be honored during the 2nd Military Pilgrimage to Pilsen. Father Kapaun, whose cause for canonization has been initiated, died in a prisoner of war camp in North Korea on May 23, 1951.

Father Kapaun served in two wars. He was a chaplain during World War II from July 1944 to August 1946, and later in the Korean War. His second tour began on October 9, 1948. Father Kapaun’s last pastoral assignment before reenlisting as a military chaplain was in Holy Trinity Parish, Timken. He was captured deep in North Korea Nov. 1, 1950.

Father Kapaun was credited with saving a trapped unit of 50 wounded soldiers. Surrounded by Chinese, Father Kapaun gathered a dozen men capable of walking and took them out and surrendered. He told the Chinese that there were only wounded in the command post and asked them to cease attacking.

Father Kapaun continued to minister to the soldiers as a prisoner of war. He insisted on going on work details so he could visit the men in other prison camps. He died at a "hospital" at Pyoktong and is buried in the camp cemetery.

Chaplain Kapaun was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit, and the Bronze Star. He was named "Servant of God" by the Roman Catholic Church, the first step toward canonization. The Archdiocese for the Military Services and the Diocese of Wichita are promoting his canonization process.

Among the dignitaries planning on attending the pilgrimage are the Most Reverend Edwin O’Brian, archbishop of Military Services, as well as military chaplains from bases in Kansas and clergy from the state.

WICHITA— Humanitarian, author and former hostage negotiator Terry Waite will present the lecture "Public Service, Personal Faith" at Newman University’s Second Annual De Mattias Society Gala, to be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 11, at the Hyatt Regency.

Long devoted to humanitarian causes, intercultural relations, and conflict resolution, Waite gained international recognition in the 1980s when, serving as a special envoy to the Archbishop of Canterbury, he negotiated the release of hostages in Iran and Libya. In 1987, while negotiating the release of Western hostages in Beirut, Waite was himself taken hostage and held in captivity for 1,760 days, including four years in solitary confinement.

Despite the ordeal, Waite says he harbors no hostility or resentment toward his captors and has worked tirelessly since his release devoting his time to humanitarian efforts around the globe.

"We are delighted that Mr. Waite will be joining us for the De Mattias Society Gala," said Newman University President and CEO Aidan O. Dunleavy, Ph.D. "He is an inspiring speaker whose story of personal faith has touched the hearts and souls of people across the world."

After his release in September 1991, Waite was elected a Fellow Commoner at Trinity Hall Cambridge, England, where he wrote Taken on Trust, an account of his time in Beirut. He also published a second book, Footfalls in Memory, a collection of excerpts from books, poems and prayers that were in his thoughts during his captivity. He is the founder of the Southern Sudan Project, which provides aid and development in the southern Sudan region, and is frequently featured by the news media as a commentator on international relations, world conflict and terrorism.

"I’m hoping people will see something they haven’t seen before and be spiritually moved."

During the grand opening, the store will feature registration for free prizes. Customers do not need to be present to win. Cookies and hot cider will be served.